DALLAS (NCBWA) – Home runs were the name of the game last week, as this week’s National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Div. III Hitter and Rookie of the Week combined to hit eight and drive in 33. A two-hit nine-inning shutout claimed the Pitcher of the Week for games played April 10-16.
HITTER OF THE WEEK
East Texas Baptist University senior catcher Austin Barry had a career weekend, batting .667 (8-for-12) with four home runs and 14 RBI. He played in all three games versus Hardin-Simmons University (Texas), leading the Tigers to a sweep, as ETBU ran its winning streak to 13 games. In a 3-1 game-one victory, Barry had the go-ahead two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning. In game two, Barry was 3-for-4 with six RBI and two homers. In the series finale, Barry launched a solo homer to tie the game at one in the second inning. He followed with a two-run double in the fourth inning to put ETBU up 7-1. Barry made D3baseball.com’s Team of the Week and was the American Southwest Conference co-Hitter of the Week.
Honorable Mention Hitter: Justin Fogel, Jr., C, Pennsylvania State University Abington – Batted .625 (10-for-16) with 14 RBI, 10 runs, and six home runs. Had at least one home run in each game this past week. Leads the team with 14 home runs and is now second all-time in program history with 24. Was named to D3baseball.com’s Team of the Week and was the United East Conference Player of the Week.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
No. 15 Christopher Newport University (Virginia) senior Dylan Weber put together one of the finest pitching performances in program history with a complete-game, two-hit shutout against Virginia Wesleyan University on Thursday. Weber struck out 12 and did not issue a walk in the nine-inning 10-0 win. Weber retired the first 16 batters he faced and faced the minimum through the first 22 batters. He set a program record for the fewest batters faced in a complete-game effort with only 28, one over the minimum. Weber was named to D3baseball.com’s Team of the Week and was the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Week.
Honorable Mention Pitcher: Cole Giesige, Fy., Albion College (Michigan) – Led the Brits to an 8-2 victory at Olivet College (Michigan) on Wednesday. Totaled 17 strikeouts in seven shutout innings, while only allowing three hits. Leads the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association with 17.25 strikeouts per game. Named MIAA Pitcher of the Week.
ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Kalamazoo College (Michigan) first-year third baseman Ryar Rinehart led the Hornets to a 7-0 record last week. Rinehart slashed .593/.649/1.222 over the seven games. He went 16-for-27 with 19 RBI, 16 runs, five doubles, and four home runs. Rinehart helped Kalamazoo vault up to first-place in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association, and the team is on a nine-game winning streak and is winners of 17 of its last 18 games. Rinehart logged five multi-hit games last week, including a 4-for-4 game with three doubles, a home run, and six RBI against Albion College (Michigan). He was 4-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI against Calvin University (Michigan). The MIAA Player of the Week leads the conference with 46 RBI.
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